Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a Senior Systemic Psychotherapist to join the Adult Specialist Eating Disorder Service. The post is also available under Annex 21, offering a structured development plan and incremental pay progression while required competencies are achieved.
The post is advertised as a Band 8a, however, applicants who do not currently meet all the skills and competencies for the band 8a role, are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Agenda for Change Arrangement for Pay and Banding of Trainees (Annex 21) supported by a development plan for up to 3 years.
The successful candidate will join a committed, values-driven multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality care for individuals with Eating Disorders and their families. You will help embed a systemic approach within the service and contribute to a strong MDT culture.
The role includes specialist assessment, systemic formulation, evidence-based interventions, and consultation across the Hywel Dda UHB area. As a senior clinician, you will work with the Clinical Lead and Service Manager to provide supervision, support operational delivery, and drive innovation aligned with Welsh Government and Health Board priorities.
Main duties of the job
You will also have access to Hywel Dda's wider systemic community, including CPD opportunities, reading groups, peer networks and communities of practice.
As a senior Systemic Family Therapist, the postholder provides specialist systemic therapy to individuals, families and groups within Eating Disorder services, delivering comprehensive assessment, formulation and treatment for clients with complex and high-risk mental health needs.
The role involves autonomous clinical decision-making while working closely within a multidisciplinary team. The postholder offers consultation, advice and training to colleagues, manages a clinical caseload, and provides supervision, CPD support and performance review to appropriate staff. This role also contributes to service development through audit, evaluation, project work and the implementation of agreed service improvements to support high-quality care across the service.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
o Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwesto Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshireo Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settingso 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providerso Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description
Job responsibilities
During the first year payment will be 65% of the top rate of band pay, and the second year 70%, and third year 75%.
Following successful completion and successful attainment of skills and competences for the role, the post holder will then be paid at band 8a (minimum point on the scale).
Continued support andsupervision will be provided in order to develop the practitioner to the band 8a role. This will be an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified psychologist looking for career development.
As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.
Failure to achieve the competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 09/03/2026
Job description
Job responsibilities
During the first year payment will be 65% of the top rate of band pay, and the second year 70%, and third year 75%.
Following successful completion and successful attainment of skills and competences for the role, the post holder will then be paid at band 8a (minimum point on the scale).
Continued support andsupervision will be provided in order to develop the practitioner to the band 8a role. This will be an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified psychologist looking for career development.
As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.
Failure to achieve the competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 09/03/2026
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Post graduate MSc or Post Graduate Diploma in Systemic family therapy, in line with requirements of AFT.
- Full accreditation and registration with UKCP as a systemic family psychotherapist
- Evidence of having completed a recognised professional health/social care qualification that led to registration and specifically included knowledge of models of Psychopathology
- Evidence of robust knowledge of the methodology of systemic family therapy.
- Additional further study and specialist training in Systemic family therapy Therapy.
Desirable
- Supervisor's qualification
- Qualification in an additional psychological therapy.
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities, etc).
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
Experience
Essential
- Substantial, post accreditation experience, of providing specialist Systemic family therapy assessment and treatment for clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in patient settings
- Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups and problems, that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly, emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse.
- Experience of teaching and Training.
- Extensive, post accreditation, experience of providing clinical supervision, post accreditation.
- Evidence of robust application of the therapeutic model and strong fidelity to the model.
Desirable
- Experience of the application of psychological therapy in different cultural contexts.
- Demonstrate further specialist training / experience through having received a minimum of 50 hours clinical supervision of working as a specialist therapist.
- Experience of operational management.
Language Skills
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Post graduate MSc or Post Graduate Diploma in Systemic family therapy, in line with requirements of AFT.
- Full accreditation and registration with UKCP as a systemic family psychotherapist
- Evidence of having completed a recognised professional health/social care qualification that led to registration and specifically included knowledge of models of Psychopathology
- Evidence of robust knowledge of the methodology of systemic family therapy.
- Additional further study and specialist training in Systemic family therapy Therapy.
Desirable
- Supervisor's qualification
- Qualification in an additional psychological therapy.
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities, etc).
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
Experience
Essential
- Substantial, post accreditation experience, of providing specialist Systemic family therapy assessment and treatment for clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in patient settings
- Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups and problems, that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly, emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse.
- Experience of teaching and Training.
- Extensive, post accreditation, experience of providing clinical supervision, post accreditation.
- Evidence of robust application of the therapeutic model and strong fidelity to the model.
Desirable
- Experience of the application of psychological therapy in different cultural contexts.
- Demonstrate further specialist training / experience through having received a minimum of 50 hours clinical supervision of working as a specialist therapist.
- Experience of operational management.
Language Skills
Desirable
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address
Ty Myddfai Psychological Wellbeing Centre
Cillefwr Industrial Estate, Glien Road, Johnstown
Carmarthen
SA31 3RU
Employer's website
https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)
